Laminar flow element

Abstract

A laminar flow element including a single-piece layer of sheet stock having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The layer is an annular flat disk. The first surface includes at least one channel formed by etching. Sidewalls are formed by the at least one channel, the sidewalls having a height sufficient to create a transverse laminar flow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laminar flow element, comprising:
 a single-piece layer of sheet stock having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the single-piece layer being an annular flat disk,   wherein the first surface includes at least one channel formed by etching,   wherein sidewalls are formed by the at least one channel, and   wherein a height of the sidewalls is configured to create a transverse laminar flow.   
     
     
         2 . The laminar flow element of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel is rectangularly-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The laminar flow element of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel is trapezoidally-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The laminar flow element of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface includes three channels spaced equally on the annular flat disk. 
     
     
         5 . The laminar flow element of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel includes a plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         6 . The laminar flow element of  claim 5 , wherein each groove has an angled profile. 
     
     
         7 . The laminar flow element of  claim 5 , wherein each groove has a flat profile. 
     
     
         8 . The laminar flow element of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel includes one large groove. 
     
     
         9 . The laminar flow element of  claim 8 , wherein the one large groove has an angled profile. 
     
     
         10 . The laminar flow element of  claim 8 , wherein the one large groove has a flat profile. 
     
     
         11 . The laminar flow element of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls of the channel are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         12 . The laminar flow element of  claim 1 , wherein the height of the sidewalls is at least half of the thickness of the single-piece layer. 
     
     
         13 . The laminar flow element of  claim 1 , wherein the single-piece layer has a thickness of between 0.001 inches to 0.050 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The laminar flow element of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet stock comprises metal shim stock. 
     
     
         15 . A laminar flow assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of single-piece layers of sheet stock forming an interior transverse flow channel along an axis,   wherein each layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the layer being an annular flat disk,   wherein the first surface includes at least one channel formed by etching,   wherein sidewalls are formed by the at least one channel, and   wherein a height of the sidewalls is configured to create a transverse laminar flow.